WA State Trauma Service – Older Consumers or Carers with lived experience of being in the trauma unit

About the Project and the Involvement Opportunity

Older adults are increasingly affected by serious injuries such as falls, motor vehicle crashes, and other trauma. These injuries often lead to complications, longer hospital stays, loss of independence, and the need for rehabilitation or residential care. We have developed a new tool called the Older Trauma Outcome Prediction (OTOP) model, which helps clinicians estimate a patient’s risk of important outcomes, including surgery, intensive care admission, complications, recovery needs, and discharge destination.

The OTOP-IMPLEMENT study aims to test and introduce this tool within the Western Australian trauma system to support better clinical decision-making and improve care for older trauma patients.

We are seeking input from consumers with lived experience of trauma, their carers, and family members. Consumer involvement is important because it helps ensure the research focuses on outcomes that matter most to patients and families, such as maintaining independence, quality of life, communication, and care planning. Consumer perspectives will help guide implementation of the OTOP model, improve its acceptability in clinical practice, and maximise its benefit for future patients.

About the Position

Consumer representatives will contribute to discussions on study design, implementation strategies, interpretation of findings, and dissemination of results. They will help identify the outcomes most important to patients and families, review patient-facing materials, and provide feedback on how the OTOP model can be integrated into clinical care in ways that are acceptable and meaningful to patients.

Consumer input will help ensure that the project remains focused on patient-centred outcomes such as recovery, independence, quality of life, and communication around care planning. Their involvement will strengthen the relevance, acceptability, and translation of the research, increasing the likelihood that the OTOP model will improve care and outcomes for future older trauma patients.

What Am I Expected to Do?

Review documents (e.g., grant applications, consent forms, surveys)
Share your lived experience and insights
Help design participant recruitment strategies

What Skills or Experience Do I Need?

We welcome expressions of interest from older adults who have experienced trauma, family members, carers, and members of the community with an interest in improving healthcare for older people.

No previous research experience is required. We are looking for people who are willing to share their perspectives and experiences to help improve care for older trauma patients.

Helpful qualities include:

Lived experience as a trauma patient, family member, or carer
Interest in improving healthcare services and patient outcomes
Willingness to participate in discussions and provide feedback
Ability to consider the perspectives of other patients and families
Comfortable communicating in group meetings (in person or online)

Support will be provided, and consumer representatives will be encouraged to contribute at a level that suits their experience, availability, and interests.

How Long Am I Expected to Be Involved?

The OTOP-IMPLEMENT study is expected to run over four years. Consumer representatives will typically be invited to participate in meetings approximately every six months, with each meeting lasting 1–2 hours. Additional opportunities to provide feedback may be offered via email or brief online consultations between meetings.

The expected time commitment is approximately 4–8 hours per year, depending on the consumer representative’s level of involvement and interest. Flexible participation is supported, and consumers may choose the extent of their contribution throughout the project.

Where Will Meetings Be Held?

A mix of in-person and online, depending on consumer preference.

What Support Is Offered?

Specify any compensation, training, or resources available.
An honorarium of $50.00 per hour is available for consumer involvement activities in line with CCIProgram guidelines
Training and support provided by the CCIProgram or relevant support body.

Web form to create Applications

Submitting this form will create Applications

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